The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Chen follows up a celebration of unlikely siblings in Guji Guji (2004) with an equally captivating look at an unusual friendship. As related in parallel split-page narratives, Artie the lion gets extensive instruction from his father in hunting yummy rabbits, while Julie the rabbit’s father carefully trains her to escape fierce lions. Simultaneously venturing out into the wild, the two younglings stuff themselves on jellyberries, take refuge from a storm in the same cave and instantly bond. After a day of playing leaping and roaring games, the two return to their respective homes and relate to their befuddled parents a role-reversing bedtime story about making friends. The two new friends’ meeting and play take place on traditional full pages, splitting again as they go their separate ways home—a nifty device. Though Julie’s large, red spike heels strike an odd visual note, the pictures’ soft hues and smiling, simply drawn cartoon animal figures score high on child appeal. A worthy addition to any “waging peace” list. (Picture book. 5-7)

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